Report Published on State Policy Capacity and Leadership

What does it take in terms of staff, leadership, and resources for state governments to plan for and implement new health policies?

Regardless of the policy positions they take, executive and legislative branch state policymakers will need to make decisions that are right for their constituents and implement those decisions effectively and efficiently.  A new Milbank Memorial Fund report by Pierre-Gerlier Forest and W. David Helms examines state health policy capacity and leadership—and is especially important given the continuing debate about changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and improving health care delivery in the United States.

The authors’ examination of how state leaders made and implemented policy decisions in the wake of the ACA’s passage provides a unique opportunity to assess the resources needed and processes used by decision makers.  The experience of state health policy leaders who were involved in implementing sweeping changes to the ACA— in the commercial health insurance market and options regarding insurance exchanges and Medicaid eligibility—provides important lessons for policymakers tasked with planning and implementing comprehensive programs.

Read the executive summary and report.